Deuteronomy 16:1
"Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover of the Lord your God, because in the month of Abib He brought you out of Egypt by night..."
The month of Abib is to serve as a point in time!
The celebration of Passover is to serve as a reminder!
And the Exodus is to serve as a demonstration of God's Power when it is acted upon!
In this Christmas Season, there will come a point in time when you will feel stirred to help someone else out.
Maybe you will be reminded of how God sent someone into your life just at the right time to help you get through a tough season.
Lastly, you MUST make every effort to combine that "Stirred Feeling" & that "Pleasant Memory" in order to produce someone else's Exodus!
"DESIRE PAIRED WITH ACTION IS THE ONLY FORMULA THAT RESULTS IN FREEDOM!"
Jesus' birth was a step toward delivering humanity from the bondage of sin which resulted from a DESIRE that was coupled with an ACTION!
"OUR DESIRES, IF NOT COUPLED WITH ACTION, ARE MEANINGLESS!"

Leaving a Godly legacy!

So what do you want to be remembered for? Do you want to be remembered for one that gave it your all to follow the Lord or are you one to give a half hearted effort? Do you want to be know for having a fleet of vehicles or a love for sports? or Do you want to be know for having a love for God?

The bible says in Psalm 90:12 "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." Our days are numbered here upon the earth. Sometimes, we may think that we are going to live forever. At times, we may only be able to see the situation that were are in right now. However, God is calling us to learn how to number our days. God is calling each us to leave a Godly legacy.

There are so many challenges that each of us face on a daily basis. The enemy would love for every believer to fall and to lose their testimony. The book of Revelation 12:11 teaches us that we overcame the eneny in our life by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. I would like to encourage you to hold on to your testimony with eveything that you are. Hold on to what God has done for you in your life. The enemy cannot take your testimony, unless you give it to him. On the day of the judgement, our testimony will be our victory speech! It will be our legacy!  We need to leave a legacy that our heavely Father would be proud of. One that He can say "That's my child!"

God Bless you as you leave a Godly legacy for those behind you!

Jeremiah 8:21-22
"Since my people are crushed, I am crushed; I mourn, and horror grips me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?"
Is your heart comfortable enough with seeing others in need while you enjoy abundance?
Does this give you satisfaction in any way?
Do you feel stirred to pray for those in need?
Does that stirring push you to get out of your seat & react?
Reality is that:
"TRUE PRAYER DOES NOT JUST STIR GOD'S HAND INTO ACTION, IT ALSO STIRS OUR FEET TO MOVE!"
THEREFORE, LET'S STOP SITTING ON THE SIDELINES!
WE BELIEVE THAT GOD CAN MEET PEOPLE'S NEEDS & YES, THIS IS TRUE, THAT IS WHY WE PRAY!
BUT IT IS NOT A MATTER OF GOD BEING ABLE TO PERFORM MIRACLES, WE KNOW HE CAN!
WE JUST NEED TO REALIZE THAT HE WANTS TO DO IT THROUGH US!!!
"Jesus needs Hands & Feet in this day & age!"
"WILL YOU ANSWER THE CALL?"

John 17:3 Now this is eternal life...that they may...know you...the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

 

John 2:3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands

(Let's paraphrase that)
 

"Our peace of mind that God has saved us by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, is our Obedience"

 Obedience doesn't save, it is essential though, as it is the substance of our faith. 

2 Peter 2:20 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.

Many believers once did know Jesus, did serve Jesus, but they backslid, they went away, they were caught up by Satan and now they want to go back to Jesus but they feel that Jesus will not accept them back. Jesus will never refuse a soul that repents and cries out to Him. Don’t let the devil tell you that Jesus will not take you back. Remember one thing, the road back is going to be very, very difficult, because you opened the door for the devil. Jesus never left you, you left Him. But Jesus is waiting for you to come to Him. He showed His love for you by dying on that Cross on Calvary. YOU will have to show that you are serious by getting rid of all those things that took you away from Jesus. It is going to be a tough, difficult road but it will be worth it. Don’t let anything stop you. Go on your knees and cry out to Jesus it doesn’t matter what you have done. It doesn’t matter how far you have fallen. If you are down in the bud, He will pick you up, just cry out to Him. He came for the broken hearted, He came for those who are lost and if you are lost, you are in a good position to be saved. Cry out to Jesus, He is waiting for you and then never go away from Him again. Cry out to Jesus now and He will give you mercy and grace.
May Jesus bless you.

 

George M'Lay

Ever wonder why the Israelite suffered for fourty years in the desert? The answer is in the word and you might be surprised how it relates to you and me today!

Reading Numbers today, specifically, an account of the Israelites suffering in the desert. Despite all the miracles God performed in rescuing them out of Egypt and providing for them, they still grumbled, complained, and doubted. Numbers 14:11 Says's, "The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them?" God had Moses send scouts to explore the land of Milk and Honey that He promised to give to them. The Scouts were gone for fourty days and saw that it was good, it was everything God said it would be, however they were afraid because of the people who occupied the land at the time, the Scouts, instead of trusting God, in their own minds thought they were to small and weak to succeed. Because they were afraid, they came back and gave a false report, they said the land was bad, they deceived the people into believing it was not what God had promised and the people in turn grumbled, complained, and sinned.

 

 Moses intercedes for them in Numbers 14:13-19. God answers in 14:20-24, 33-34 & 36 -37 "The Lord replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked. Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times, not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it "..."Your children will be shepherds here for forty years, suffering for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the desert. For forty years—one year for each of the forty days you explored the land—you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you.’

 

Here, we see God being faithful in salvation as they were forgiven. Salvation is a gift of grace, not of works, but because of their constant complaining, dis-obedience, & lack of trust, they were unable to experience many blessings God wished them to have. Also they were to wander the desert for forty years, one year for every day they scouted the promised land. You see, they Scouts were the ones to go out ahead of the others, they were to bring back the good news of God's promise and grace. Instead they deceived people, instead of believing God, they looked through their own eyes and were afraid. Their deception caused people to complain, grumble, and sin in disbelief.

As Christians we are to go out ahead of those who are either non believers or new believers. When we experience a trial, difficulty, or problem in our life, it should serve as an opportunity to witness God's faithfulness to people, before the deliverance, this way when it happens they will know it was of God. We are to believe God's promise of providing for us and bring the good news of God's promise back to people. Often though, like the Israelites, we, in our fear, complain, doubt, and worry, and in doing so, bring bad news, deceiving people that maybe God won't keep His promises, and cause others to stumble in doubt too.

Hebrews 11:1 tells us, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidencee of things not seen" The substance of your faith in believing God will provide for you and take you through the storm, is praise, the evidence is not worrying, not complaining, it is lifting hands in worship.

 Be Joyous always, Pray continually, Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ~

  Don't wander in the desert for fourty years...Get found...Trust Jesus... & share the Good News! 

Proverbs 28:9

"If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable."

Unanswered Prayer has many symptoms!

One of the most common, however, is unhealthy communication.

We sometimes expect God to give us what we ask for, but we are not willing to listen to His "Terms of Use".

Sure, we want the Benefit of the Gift, but not the Burden of the Responsibility!

Please understand;

GOD NEVER GIVES ANYTHING FOR OUR SELFISH USE!

"WE WILL NEVER HEAR, IF WE NEVER LISTEN!"

My prayer is that your ears would be open to Heaven!

I know from experience that everything else will fall in place in its proper time!

God Bless You All & Enjoy Christ's Season!

Believe it or not, God is not religious.

A friend and I were having dinner tonight and someone we were witnessing to told us, "I'm not religious" My first thought was, "Great! Neither is God"

When some people think of God they think of religion, fasting, being oppressed, going to church, doing things that are, well, religious. But the Bible in James 1:27 tells us this..."The only Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

 

Concerning fasting it says's...Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here I am. ~ Isaiah 58:6-9 ~

 

* Loose the chains of injustice - Do not withhold from others

 

* Set the oppressed free - Help those who are in bondage

 

* Share your food with the hungry - Don't be greedy

 

* Provide the poor with shelter - Have compassion

 

* Clothe those without - Do more than wish someone well

 

* Provide for your own - Take care of your own family

 

Then...God will answer your cry for help. Because you are dying to self, and living to intercede for others, just like Jesus did when He died on that Cross, He will intercede for you in your needs. 

 

In other words... Turn from a wretched, self centered life, and Turn to a life of trusting Jesus as your Lord, Get rid of the filth in your life, Love God, Love people, Help those who can't help themselves, and Put others needs above your own. Then you are fulfilling the commandments. Matthew 22:37-40 tells us, "Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

 

That doesn't sound like religion to me,

it's sounds like Love!



John 19:31a
"Now it was the Day of Preparation..."
As this X-Mas Season approaches & everyone scrambles to decorate their trees, their houses, buy gifts, visit family, work extra hours to earn a little more spending cash, let us stop & ask ourselves;
"IS MY HEART PREPARED FOR TODAY'S CHALLENGES?"
"DAILY SPIRITUAL PREPARATION makes all the difference!"
What many fail to realize is that in this type of season, we are mentally, physically & spiritually drained more than usual because we extend ourselves beyond our normal capacities.
Therefore, NOW IS THE DAY OF PREPARATION!
Let's prepare ourselves through prayer before we begin our daily routines & let's get filled with the spiritual resources we need to help us get through the day & maybe it will overflow into someone else that may need some of what we got!
P.S. If anyone needs some of what I got, I will be more than glad to share! :)
JESUS TAUGHT ME: "I don't just do this for me, I do this for everyone around me!"
"THEREFORE, I WANT TO TEACH THE SAME!"

Did you know if you truly believe in Christ you are an Israelite? You have been adopted into God's family and are a descendant of Israel. So now what?

Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel. ... Remember these
things, Jacob: You are my servant, Israel. I formed you; you are my servant.

~ Isaiah 44:21 ~

"Servant Israel" is mention 87 times in the Bible.
 

Here is just a few......"O Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen...He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful ... He said to me, "You are my servant Israel....an inheritance to his servant Israel;...God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant...Keep in mind the law of Moses, my servant...'By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel...Hear the supplications of your servant...Is Israel a servant, a slave by birth?"

 

Do you think God is trying to tell us something?
 

John 19:30
"When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “IT IS FINISHED.” With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit."
WE ALL KNOW WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THIS!
HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD!
THEREFORE, WE CELEBRATE HIM AS LORD & SAVIOR IN THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON!
But there is one thing that God has laid upon my heart this morning during prayer that I feel burdened to share!
That one thing is this:
WHEN JESUS DECLARED "IT IS FINISHED", HE ADDED NOTHING ELSE TO THAT STATEMENT! BUT MANY OFTEN TAKE THE LIBERTY OF REWRITING HISTORY & DECLARE "I MUST FINISH THE TASK OF SALVATION THAT JESUS BEGAN!"
We, (that means ALL OF US!), sometimes lose focus of what Jesus' purpose here on earth was & that is why He so lovingly refreshes our memory time & time again!
"JESUS CAME TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT WE COULDN'T!"
"THEREFORE, DON'T TRY TO REWRITE HISTORY, BUT LET HISTORY BE YOUR GUIDE!"
"& SINCE HISTORY IS GUIDING YOU TO JESUS, JUST FOLLOW!!!"

The Priestly Blessing

How do you pray for people? Does it include wordly joys? Do you pray for wordly possesions?

This is what the Lord says's...

 

"The Lord said to Moses, 'Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.' So they will put My name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” ~ Numbers 6:22-27 ~

The priests were solemnly to bless the people in the name of the Lord.

 

#1.To be under the almighty protection of God our Saviour;

 

 #2. to enjoy his favour as the smile of a loving Father, or as the cheering beams of the sun; While God...

 

 A. mercifully forgives our sins,

B. supplies our needs,

C. consoles the heart,

  D. prepares us by his grace for eternal glory;

 

these things form the substance of this blessing, and the sum total of all blessings.

 

In so rich a list of mercies worldly joys...are not worthy to be mentioned. Here is a form of prayer. The name Jehovah is three times repeated. Many think there is some mystery; Christians know what it is, the New Testament having explained it, we are directed to expect the blessing from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of the Father, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, 2Co 13:14; each of which Persons is Jehovah, and yet they are not three Lords, but one Lord.

 

To all who read this, I pray this pray over you this day...The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. 

Are you a Levite?

The Israelites are to set up their tents by divisions, each man in his own camp under his own standard. The Levites, however, are to set up their tents around the tabernacle of the Testimony so that wrath will not fall on the Israelite community. The Levites are to be responsible for the care of the tabernacle of the Testimony  ~ Numbers 1:52-53

 

THE LEVITES:  Care is here taken to distinguish the tribe of Levi, which, in the matter of the golden calf, had distinguished itself. Singular services shall be recompensed by singular honours. It was to the honour of the Levites, that to them was committed the care of the tabernacle and its treasures, in their camps and in their marches. They that minister about holy things, should neither entangle themselves, nor be entangled, in worldly affairs. Let every believer seek to do what the Lord has commanded.

 

THE ISRAELITES: The order of the tribes in their tents. - The tribes were to encamp about the tabernacle, which was to be in the midst of them. It was a token of God's gracious presence. Yet they were to pitch their tents afar off, in reverence to the sanctuary. The children of Israel put themselves in their posts, without murmuring or disputing; and as it was their safety, so it was their beauty. It is our duty and interest to be contented with the place allotted to us, and to endeavour to occupy it in a proper manner, without envying or murmuring; without ambition or covetousness. Thus the gospel church ought to be compact, according to the Scripture model, every one knowing and keeping his place; and then all that wish well to the church rejoice, beholding their order, Col 2:5.

 

Matthew Henry Commentry

Deuteronomy 16:20
"Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you."
In this X-mas Season, as we celebrate the birth of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ, let us remember that He came to do one thing; "CARRY OUT JUSTICE!!!"
Whether it meant Him giving up something dear to Him, {even His own life}, He still carried out justice because He knew that it would eventually be the ONLY permanent remedy for humankind's most prevalent problem {SIN!}.
God, the Father had given God, the Son reign over Humanity.
Therefore, God, the Son {Jesus}, came into this world with the purpose of fulfilling God's Law!
He knew that there was only one way to rectify the disobedience of mankind toward God, with that in mind;
"HE CARRIED OUT JUSTICE, GAVE UP HIS LIFE FOR OUR'S & GAVE US THE GIFT OF ETERNITY THROUGH FAITH IN HIM!"
"That is why we celebrate Christmas! Because of Justice Alone!"
JUSTICE MAY CARRY A PRICE, BUT IT'S BENEFITS ARE PRICELESS!
That is why God tells us to follow Justice & Justice Alone!
The world may say otherwise at times, when it is to their advantage, BUT GOD KNOWS BEST!

Matthew 2:1-2
"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”"
MANY HAVE SPECULATED AS TO WHO THE MAGI WERE! (Not much is known about them.)
ALTHOUGH THE BIBLE DOES NOT SPECIFICALLY CALL THEM BY NAME, GOD DOES GIVE THEM A VERY INTERESTING TITLE, HE CHOSE TO CALL THEM "WISE MEN"...
Have you ever wondered WHY?
I believe God wants to extend that same honor to each one of us!
God is calling us to be WISE MEN!!!
I know you may be thinking to yourself right now that the Magi were given a special honor to see Jesus in His infant stage & YES, this is true!
But that did not cause them to inherit the title of WISE MEN!
THEIR WISDOM WAS DISPLAYED WHEN THEY RECOGNIZED JESUS AS KING & WORSHIPPED HIM!!!
TODAY, we are given the honor of seeing Jesus as THE GLORIFIED SAVIOR OF THE WORLD!
IN THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON, WE CELEBRATE JESUS' BIRTHDAY!
Here is your chance to inherit the title of WISE MEN!
"THIS SEASON, A PERSON'S WISDOM WILL BE DISPLAYED BY WHERE THEIR FOCUS IS PLACED!!!"
"CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT CHRIST!!!"
"OH COME, LET US ADORE HIM!!!"

Remnant Force Men's Movie Night

Saturday Night - December 8th - 7-10pm

Evangel Assembly of God (Corner of Good Hope & 99th)

 

Man Up - The Movie

With Discussion Breaks & Teachings

Don't Miss this one!

Altar'd - You are There...My New Favorite Worship Song!

A Day of Atonement...A Day of Rest.

Then the Lord said to Moses, The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. You must observe it as an official day for holy assembly, a day to deny yourselves and present special gifts to the Lord. Do no work during that entire day because it is the Day of Atonement, when offerings of purification are made for you, making you right with the Lord your God. All who do not deny themselves that day will be cut off from God’s people. And I will destroy anyone among you who does any work on that day. You must not do any work at all! This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation to generation wherever you live. This will be a Sabbath day of complete rest for you, and on that day you must deny yourselves

The Day of Atonement was a Sabbath Day in which you did no work & denied yourself, offering gifts to God so that your sins might be forgiven. Work is often thought of as physical labor, but in the Old Testament, work was also a works of Salvation by trying in human strength to keep the law. Sacrifices were also required to atone for their sin, as they were unable to keep the law perfectly.

 

How does the law and Old Testament relate to us today? It was a foreshadow of the things to come. Today, Jesus is the Sabbath (A day of complete rest) Jesus is our Atonement. When we confess our sins, repent, and deny ourselves, surrendering our will to His will, we enter into His rest. This is a rest from a 'Works Salvation' which Paul so diligently preached against. Because we as Christians are currently living in the Sabbath (in Christ) we cease from Working towards our Salvation, as our atonement is by the Grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ as He offered His body as a 'Once for All' sacrifice. (And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Hebrews 10:10) On the Sabbath day, which is today, "You must not do any work at all!" Anyone who continues to do work (unto salvation, not physical labor) will be cut off. "This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation to generation wherever you live"

 

Do you see how "not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished" Matthew 5:18

 

Matthew 11:28 "Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens,(from the cares of the world but also from doing works)...and I will give you rest."

 

Mark 2:27, "Then Jesus said to them, "The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath"

 

Hebrews 4:1-3 "...Since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.^a Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said..."

 

We do need a physical rest, and the Lord does speak of that, but in context with what we are talking about here, ceasing from work, does not mean, kick back, relax, have a good time, on the contrary...

 

Exodus 20:8 tells us, "Remember the Sabbath and keep it Holy" Since we are daily living in the Sabbath, that is Christ, everyday is a Holy Day set apart for Him, so we must be careful not to do  works (towards salvation) instead we are to 'Deny Ourselves' and live for Him. We are to...

Consecrate ourselves and be holy, because He is the LORD our God"

(Leviticus 20:7)
 

We are to... "Treat with respect the sacred offerings you consecrate to Him (our bodies as living sacrifices), so you will not profane His holy name. He is the LORD." (Leviticus 22:2) 

 

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1) and, since we have a Saviour that interceeds for us, let us "...be anxious for nothing,, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, that the world knows not, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

 

And this transcends to...Rest.

 



Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
In years past, I have been grateful for many things.
But as time goes by, I am learning that my gratitude has to do a great deal with Jesus' Act of Love.
"JESUS CAME TO RESTORE & FOR THAT, I AM VERY GRATEFUL!"
He is teaching me to let go of everything that weighs me down & to grab hold of Him!
Please understand, the verses stated above were not just pretty words that Jesus thought the world needed to hear at that time!
His words are Truth & are also An Invitation to all who will Listen & Come!
"I AM A WITNESS! JESUS CHANGED MY LIFE! RESTORED MY FAMILY! GAVE ME A BEAUTIFUL WIFE & KIDS! A BUSINESS TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY & MINISTRY! FRIENDS THAT REALLY LOVE ME & CONCERN THEMSELVES FOR ME & MINE!"
But what I am most grateful for is that:
"GOD'S WORD IS TRUE! WE CAN STAND ON IT, WE CAN GRAB HOLD OF IT & (what I love doing most!) WE CAN SHARE IT WITH OTHERS!"
GOD BLESS YOU ALL & HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

3 John 1:11
"Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God."
"PEOPLE CAN ONLY IMITATE WHAT THEY ARE TAUGHT & WHAT THEY HAVE SEEN!"
With that in mind;
What kind of example have you been setting lately?
Are others seeing God's Love in you?
Or have your conversations & actions denied God's existence?
"PEOPLE CAN NOT SEE GOD, BUT THEY CAN EXPERIENCE GOD TOUCH THROUGH YOUR LIFE!"
Therefore, let God use you today!!!

Are you Keeping your Garage Clean?

Here is my very humble attempt to explain Salvation by Grace Alone and Obedience.

"Lord, let your words go forth with power, deep conviction, and the Holy Spirit. Amen"

 

"Jesus said in Mark 1:15

The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe the gospel"

 

Repentance is surrendering my will to God's will, turning from my way to His way, this comes through brokeness and confession of sin against a Holy God. When someone truly believes in Christ they are saying, "I entrust Jesus with my eternal life, my very soul, to rescue it, protect it, and preserve it and I am willing to prove it by obeying His commands as He is King of my life, He is the overseer of my soul. (So then, those who suffer according to God's will should entrust themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.- 1 Peter 4:19) The Word tells us in Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" Thus the substance (Something real, not imaginary, something tangible) of the thing we hope for, being salvation, is obedience. Faith is the substance of the thing hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Christ said in John 14:15, "If you love me, you will obey what I command" Salvation is a gift of grace and grace alone (and if by grace, then it is no longer by works - Romans 11:6)

God, after granting salvation will not remove salvation as it is a gift, but we however having free will can choose to stop believing, or walk away from faith. (Jesus told his disciples, "Situations that cause people to lose their faith are certain to arise. But how horrible it will be for the person who causes someone to lose his faith!- Luke 17:1) To remain in grace, is to remain in faith! And the substance or evidence of that thing we hope for, again being salvation, is obedience. It is the one that continues till the end that receives salvation, ("He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels - Revelation 3:5)

 

Lord willing, here is my humble attempt to explain this, ..I live in a house and a neighborhood where to own a vehicle, I must park it in a garage as there is no other parking. I currently do not own a vehicle but someone calls me up and tells me they are giving me a brand new vehicle as a gift, I believe them so I immediately go and start cleaning out my old junk that is currently filling all the space in my garage, and I make room for the new vehicle. (You with me so far?) Now, some time goes by and I start to doubt whether I will really ever receive this gift so instead of keeping the garage clean in faith, I slowly start to fill the garage back up with stuff. Eventually the garage is once again full. Then, suddenly the vehicle is delivered but now there is no room for it, so although the giver of the gift kept his promise in delivering it, because of my doubt, or lack of faith, I have no ability to receive it. Not because of the giver, but because of me, the giver kept his promise, but I did not have faith till the end. The substance of my un-belief was that I started filling the garage back up and eventually left no room for the gift. I did not truly believe the vehicle would be delivered or I would have kept my garage clean.

God, through Jesus, has promised salvation as a gift of grace, to anyone who will believe in Jesus. Our hearts is where it is to be parked! (The word is near you; it is... in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming-Romans 10:8) The substance of my faith that salvation will be delivered is that I clean out my heart (Purify yourselves, and purify the Temple of the LORD... Remove all the defiled things from the sanctuary - 2 Chronicles 29:5) (Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you - James 1:21) Now of course sanctification is of the Holy Spirit but it is of our consent and desire to be transformed through confession and repentance that the Holy Spirit is abe to work in us,  So I make room in my heart by removing all the filth, (For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also- Matt 6:21) Then, the substance of my faith is I keep it clean until the end, otherwise I never truly believed. (Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word - Psalms 119:33-37) (we desire that every one of you will show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end - Hebrews 6:11 & John 8:31 Jesus said to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then you are my disciples indeed)

The evidence that we are in Christ is that we are continually making progress, not that we have attained it yet, but that we are moving from darkness to light, that we keep pressing on, we continue running the race, we continue living up to that which we have been given thus far, we continue in obedience (1 John, Philippians 3:12, Hebrews 12:1, Philippians 3:16, 1 John 3:24)

 

Disobedience is lack of faith. (You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain - Exodus 20:7) This is not just cursing. Taking something in vain is to take it without merit or weight, without substance, without importance, or to disregard it. To act in disobedience to God's Word is to say, "I do not believe God's Word", you are taking His Word, which is His name, in vain. (If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness...if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins...1 John 1:8-9, 2:1) (No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him-1 John 3:6.) If you continue in disobedience or continue to start putting stuf back in the garage, eventually you will have no room for the gift of grace. (If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning - 2 Peter 2:20 - after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.- James 1:15) (We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did- 1 John 2:3-6)

 

Obedience is the substance of your faith that Christ is your salvation, your mediator, your assurance, your strength, the length of your days. Obedience will not bring salvation as salvation is a gift of grace, it is however the evidence of your entrusting Christ with your eternal life. (As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received - Ephesians 4:1) 

 

"Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees. Your compassion is great, O Lord; preserve my life according to your laws...Gret peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble... I wait for your salvation, O Lord, and I follow your commands"

(Psalms 119:155-156, 165-166)

 

Faith is Keeping the Garage Clean!

 

Faith is Obedience!



Thanksgiving is a time for us to reflect and take a moment to thank the Lord for everything that He has done for us. He has been so good to us! Let's not take for granted what the Lord has done. Let's be a humble and thankful people! God bless you and your family! May you have a wonderful and safe thanksgiving!

Matthew 5:43-48
"You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’  and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect."
Tax collectors were considered traitors in Jesus' time because they were Jew's that collected taxes from their own people for the Roman's.
Also, Pagans were considered outcasts because of the lack of God's Presence in their life's. (They were Godless, therefore had nothing in common with God's People.)
All this to say that:
THE WORLD KNOWS HOW TO DO GOOD THINGS TO THOSE CLOSEST TO THEM, EVEN THOSE FAR AWAY, AT TIMES.
BUT WE, AS GOD'S SONS & DAUGHTERS, ARE TO SET OUR STANDARDS AT A DIFFERENT LEVEL.
NOTICE THAT JESUS SAID THAT HE GIVES LIGHT TO THE EVIL(first) & THE GOOD(second).
The evil take priority in God's eyes because they lack something that the good have.
"WHEN YOU LOVE YOUR ENEMY, YOU GIVE THEM WHAT THEY LACK!" "THEY LACK GOD!"

Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

  Distractions can be one of the enemies biggest weapons. Peter took his eyes off the Lord just for a second and started to sink like a rock. With the Holiday season upon us and Thanksgiving just a few days away, don't let the hustle and bustle, the sales, the t.v. specials, and football season, distract you from spending time alone in prayer. If you find yourself to busy, well, your going to have to choose. God or self? Even family can be a distraction with relatives stopping by. Do not forsake your family but at the same time and more importantly, DO NOT FORSAKE GOD! What distractions do you have? Time for inventory.

 

1 Corinthians 7:35 "And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is proper, and that you may attend upon the Lord without distraction"

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ - Philippians 3:8

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your Word... I know, O Lord that your laws are righteous and in faithfulness You have afflicted me... It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn Your laws. ~ Psalm 119:67,75,71 ~

It would be a cruel God that would allow me to always prosper in the ways I see as good, for I would never know my need of Him. Thank You God for my afflictions. Thank You Jesus that I may share in Your suffering, I wouldn't trade them for all the riches in the world. 

Matthew 5:3
"God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs."
ARE YOU POOR? Not financially, but spiritually?
If so, then you are God's perfect candidate for a blessing, If & only If you apply the latter part of this verse to your life! (REALIZE YOUR NEED!)
Sadly, many make the mistake of believing that their financial situation will provoke God to act on their behalf.
THIS IS NOT TRUE!
It is not their situation, but their faith that grabs hold of God's attention!
Yes, God cares about your physical needs!
But this doesn't concern Him as much as your spiritual well-being does!
How do we know this?
Because He laid down His own physical body for us in order to restore us from our fallen state of sin!!!
Therefore, I ask once more, ARE YOU POOR?!!!
Remember, although financial blessings are much needed at times, our need for Christ stretches beyond our wallet!
"JESUS DID NOT COME TO FILL OUR WALLETS, BUT OUR HEARTS & TO RECEIVE US INTO ETERNITY!"

Is there really only one way to God?...

OK, Pay attention here and you will see something AWESOME!

 

 I have had people say to me lately, "Christianity is too exclusive for me, how can there only be one way to God?" Well, the answer is in God's own Word. There had to be a perfect sacrifice in order to atone for sin and bridge the gap between God and man (Heb 10:14 by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy) and there had to be a once for all sacrifice. (Romans 10:10 "The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God") 
 

Jesus lay down His life for the sins of mankind 'once for all' but it gets better. "For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?" (Revelations 6:17) The answer? No man can survive God's wrath. Yet Jesus received God's wrath for all mankind, and was raised again to life. "Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and so your faith and hope are in God" (1 Peter 1:21)
 

Are you paying attention?
 

When Moses was up at the Mount speaking to God, Moses asked God what his name was. God said, "I AM WHO I AM"; and He said, 'Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel,' 'I AM has sent me to you,' (Exodus 3:14).
 

In (John 8:58) Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I AM."

John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... 1:14 - And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,

John 5:17,18 - “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” Therefore the Jews sought to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.
 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...The Word became Flesh...He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for Him, and his own righteousness sustained Him...I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so My own arm worked salvation for Me, and My own wrath sustained Me. - John 1:1, 14, Isaiah 59:16, 63:5
 

Still Paying Attention?
 

When Jesus died, it was God taking His own wrath upon Himself in order to atone for our sins. When Jesus was raised, it was God showing Himself as God. And it was finished...Once for All. Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit"
 

"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made all things. (Isaiah 44:24 God created the world by His self alone John 1:3; Colossians 1:16 Jesus made all things) The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven" Hebrews 1:1-4
 

Are you getting it?

 

The reason the only way to God is through Jesus Christ is this...
 

Jesus was, is, and always be...God Himself.

Jesus was God in human form. Jesus' body was man, but His Spirit is God.
There is no one able to survive God's wrath, except God Himself. God worked out salvation for mankind by His own arm. What sustained Him? His own righteousness. What appeased Him or satisfied His anger towards us? His own wrath

 

As far as being exclusive...The offer is for everyone...everyone gets in the same way...and everyone is able to achieve it...It doesn't get more fair than that!

 

 

God our Savior, wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men. 1 Timothy 2:4-6
 

Is there only one way? Yes, and now you know why.
 

The only way to get to God...is through God.

And the Word became Flesh. 

Matthew 6:24

"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

Loyalty is usually associated with one of the following categories:

A Person, a cause, a purpose or a movement.

With this in mind, search your heart & ask yourself, (not your neighbor), "To which association do I give my loyalty?"

Your answer will either offend you or bring you joy!

Nevertheless, it is your heart-felt truth!

Now, one final question for self:

"How does my answer reflect the verse stated above, ARE MY LOYALTIES TO GOD OR OTHER THINGS?"

Matthew 6:31-32

"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER knows that you need them."

Sometimes prayer is not about asking for anything!

People often associate prayer with NEED & the FULFILLMENT of that need!

Sadly, we always seem to focus on NEED, instead of RELATIONSHIP!

God

 instituted prayer as part of the Christian Daily Life, so that we could have personal, intimate conversations with Him in order to get to know Him better. (He already knows everything about us!)

We already know that He wants to meet our needs, but there are other things about His character that He wants to reveal to us through conversation.

Therefore, next time you approach God in prayer, be mindful, that He already knows what you are in need of & that's why He wants to reveal other areas of Himself to you!

"OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD MAY HAVE BEGUN DUE TO A NEED, BUT IT SHOULD NEVER REMAIN AT THE NECESSITY STAGE!"

1 Kings 3:9

"So give Your servant a discerning heart to govern Your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?"

Isn't it strange how people always ask The Lord to fill them, but that is where the request ends?

Simply desiring anointing is not enough!

Guidance must also be sought as where to release that anointing!

Solomon's request was,

 "Annoint me with wisdom to lead Your people, oh God!"

God has designed us with a specific purpose & therefore the anointing flowing through us is also for a specific purpose!

"GOD DOES NOT WANT TO HOARD HIS BLESSINGS, INSTEAD HE WANTS TO SHARE THEM THROUGH US!" 

Have you asked for guidance yet?

If not, it's ok, we are all in a learning process!

ASK AWAY!!! Not just for anointing, but for direction as to where God would have you pour it out!

"GOD IS A GOD OF PURPOSE & IF OUR ASKING DOES NOT INCLUDE GOD'S PURPOSE, THEN OUR ASKING IS IN VAIN!"

Ask, Seek, Knock

Matthew 7:7 ⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

As believers, God is calling us to be proactive in our faith. There are too many believers that are passive. When you ask a passive believer how things are going. You may get a response like this " Well I am just waiting on the Lord". Now there are times in our life that we will need to be "waiting on the Lord". I agree with that. However, once God has given you instruction, the waiting process is over and then the doing process has begun. Too many times, God is waiting on us. He is waiting for us to ask Him, He is waiting for us to seek Him, He is waiting for us to knock on the door.

We serve the Lord of the harvest. When the harvest is ready, the workers do not just sit around wondering if they should harvest the crop. The time has come that christians all over Rise UP and start getting involved in ministry. If you are not serving others for the Lord in your life, then something is wrong with your spiritual walk.

Let us be a people that are hungry for the things of God. Let's put aside our own agenda and get on God's agenda for our life. May the Lord bless you richly in your journey with Him!

Acts 17:28a

"For in Him we live and move and have our being."

The truth is that I don't know how to begin to thank God for everything He is in my life,

But the one thing I do know is that my gratitude has no end, because God has no end!

The more He does in my life, the more grateful I am!

"GOD CONTINUOUSLY IS, THEREFORE WE CONTINUALLY ARE!"

"NEVER LOSE FOCUS OF WHO GOD TRULY IS & YOU WILL NEVER LOSE FOCUS OF WHAT YOU SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR!"

"Our gratitude belongs to no other but God!"

Appointed, Anointed, and Invested.

"Then Moses took some of the anointing oil and some of the blood from the altar and sprinkled them on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. So he consecrated Aaron and his garments and his sons and their garments" ~ Leviticus 8:30 ~

We see our great Priest's solemnly appointed, anointed, and invested with their sacred office, with the  blood from the altar, and the influences of  the Holy Spirit. Even our great High Priest Christ Jesus. With Jesus though, by His own blood. He sanctifies the ordinances of religion, to the benefit of his people and the honour of God the Father; who for his sake accepts our worship, though it is polluted with sin. We may also rejoice, that he is a merciful and faithful High Priest, full of compassion to the feeble-minded and tempest-tossed soul.

 

All true Christians are consecrated to be spiritual priests.

 

We should seriously ask ourselves, whether in our daily walk we study to maintain this character? and abound in spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Christ? If so, still there is no cause for boasting. Let us not despise our fellow-sinners; but remembering what we have done, and how we are saved, let us seek and pray for their salvation.

 

~ Matthew Henry ~

John 8:31-32
"To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.""
Notice that Jesus made this statement to THOSE WHO BELIEVED HIM.
You must understand that it takes more than just believing what Jesus said in order to experience the true benefits of His Teachings!
He went on to say, "IF YOU HOLD TO MY TEACHING, YOU ARE REALLY MY DISCIPLES. THEN YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH & THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE!"
Therefore, Belief in itself lacks Faith!
Believing will allow you to listen to what God has to say, but Faith will grant you the courage to grab hold of God's Promises!
(Eg. Jesus teaches us that "we shall lay our hand's upon the sick & they shall recover", we can believe this teaching, but never apply its truth's. Or we can combine our Faith with our Belief & experience the freedom of this truth & watch people get healed!)
BELIEF LISTENS, BUT FAITH REACTS TO GOD'S WORD!

Pass the Salt Please...

Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings

 ~ Leviticus 2:13 ~

 

To eat salt with one is to partake of his hospitality, to derive subsistence from him; and hence he who did so was bound to look after the host's interests. (Ezra 4:14, "...we eat the salt of the palace...") A covenant of salt was a covenant of perpetual obligation (Num 18:19, 2 Chr 13:5) Disciples are likened to salt, with reference to its cleansing and preserving uses (Matt 5:13)
 Leviticus 2:13 tells us, "do not leave the salt of the covenant out of your offering, add salt to all your offerings"

 

Christ' death and resurrection was the end of sacrifices for atonement of sin, but we are still to offer sacrifices to God. Romans 12:1 tells us "offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship" Psalm 50:23 says, "He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God."

So we as Christians are not only to add the salt of the covenant to our daily lives, but also to our praise and worship. We who eat the salt of the palace, the salt of the covenant, that is Christ, the one that cleanses us, purifies us, and preserves us, let us be ever indebted to Him, let us forever look after His interests, as we are His representatives, His Royal Priests, a Holy People set apart.(Col 3:17, 1 Peter 2:9, Deut 14:2, Ps 4:3)  The way we live and the way we treat people should be with the King's best interest at heart. (Ezra 4:14 "...we are under obligation to the palace, and it is not proper for us to see the king dishonored")
Jesus' interest is Loving God and Loving People. (Saved Souls)

So let our choices in what we do, where we go, and what we watch and listen to, be salted and bring honor to God. let us always season our conversations with salt too, so that our words are as if they are the very words of God, encouraging, filled with grace and hope, and for the lifting up of others.

Romans 15:1-6 "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: 'The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.' For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ"



Psalm 33:10-11

"The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations."

DON'T BE DECEIVED! What a man sows, he will reap!

WILL-POWER wil only get you so far.

It may even take you as far as you want to go in this life!

It may lead you to achieve all your goals, accomplish all y

our dreams & be as successful as you always desired!

But the one place will-power can not help you reach is HEAVEN!

Doing your best will not get you to Heaven!

Being a great father will not get you there either!

The greatest businessman can not negotiate a deal for his admission, nor will any of your good works grant you access into Heaven!

The point is that there is only ONE-WAY into Heaven & that is through the WILL OF THE FATHER!

"OUR HEAVENLY FATHER DESIGNED A PLAN FOR SALVATION THAT CAN NOT BE REJECTED!"

"JESUS IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH & THE LIFE!"

"Therefore, in a world that promotes SELF-WILL, we as Christians need to declare to this lost world Jesus' Word's

"NOT MY WILL, BUT YOUR WILL BE DONE!"

"But more importantly, WE NEED TO MEAN IT!!!"

BECAUSE THEY NEED TO SEE IT, NOT HEAR IT!!!

Jesus is...

He makes..."wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart" ~ Psalm 104:15 ~

 

Although we could read this passage literally and it would read true, it is also a foreshadow of what was to come, and what is now, in Christ Jesus. We have 3 things, the wine, the oil, and the bread.

 



1. THE WINE

• Mark 2:22 tells us, "...no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins."  Like the new wine cannot go into the old wineskin, sinners cannot be filled with the Holy Spirit until they have been forgiven, died to their old selves, and been made new in Christ. Ezekiel 36:26 tells us, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you..."

 

2. THE OIL

• God anoints us with His oil and the light of Christ makes our faces shine as we reflect Christ to others. 1 John 2:27 says, "But the anointing that you received from him abides in you..." And Hebrews 1:9 tells us. "God...has anointed you with the oil of gladness" 

 

3. THE BREAD

• God sustains us with the Bread of Life which is Jesus our Lord. John 6:35 says, "...Jesus replied, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again." Hebrews 1:3 tell us, "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven."
 
In JESUS...God makes...
"wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart"
 
 

God was well pleased with Him...by George M'Lay

When Jesus was thirty, the Father spoke these words about Him publicly from heaven,

 "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased." (Mt. 3:17). And that was at a time when Jesus had not done a single miracle or even preached a single sermon!

What then was the secret of His being approved by God? It was obviously not because of His ministry, for He had not even commenced His public ministry.

 It was because of the type of life that He had lived for thirty years.

We are approved by God not on the basis of the success of our ministry but rather on the basis of our faithfulness in the temptations that we face in daily life.

The only two things that we are told about the hidden thirty years of Jesus' life (apart from the incident in the temple) are - that "He was tempted in all points as we are and yet did not sin"(Heb. 4:15), and that "He never pleased Himself" (Rom. 15:3).

He had faithfully resisted temptation at every point and He had never sought His own in any matter. This was what delighted the Father.

Our external accomplishments may impress worldly people and carnal believers; but God is impressed only by our character. It is our character alone that can bring us God's approval. And so if we want to know what God's opinion of us is, we must deliberately erase from our minds what we have accomplished in our ministry, and evaluate ourselves purely by our attitude towards sin and self-centredness in our thought-life. That and that alone is the infallible gauge of our spiritual condition.

Thus, the world-traveling healer/preacher and the busy mother who is never able to leave the confines of her home, have exactly the same opportunities to acquire God's approval.

This is why we shall find at the judgment seat of Christ that many who are first here in the Christian world will be last there, and many who were considered last here on earth (because they did not have a well-recognised ministry) will be first there!

Mark 6:31
"Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He(Jesus) said to them, "Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.""
MINISTRY HAS MANY FACETS.
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT COMPONENTS IN MINISTRY IS PROBABLY THE ONE WE OVERLOOK MOST!
Yes, we pray, we fast, we allow ourselves to be stretched for God's Kingdom!
BUT WE ALWAYS SEEM TO LACK BALANCE WHEN IT COMES TO THE DISCIPLINE OF REST!
Rest is essential for effective ministry!
GOD HAS GIVEN US A HUMAN BODY, WITH ALL ITS FRAILTIES, FOR A PURPOSE!
THAT PURPOSE IS SO THAT WE CAN LEARN TO DEPEND ON HIM! (Not ourselves!)
The fact is that while we are resting, God is imparting more in us so that our ministry can grow stronger!
"THAT IS WHY GOD GIVES VISIONS & DREAMS!"

Luke 7:35

"But wisdom is proved right by all her children."

In other words, if God puts an idea in your head,

THEN STEP OUT IN FAITH & DO IT!

Although people may initially mock or question your methods due to their lack of vision,

DON'T BE DISCOURAGED!

When all is said & done, your accomplished work will prove that your actions were based on Godly Wisdom & not worldly circumstance.

Here's a little secret, but don't tell anyone! :) jk

"WHEN GOD GIVES YOU A TASK & THE WORLD TELLS YOU IT CAN'T BE DONE, THEY ARE RIGHT!!!"

"BUT THAT IS WHY WE SERVE A GOD OF IMPOSSIBILITIES!!!"

"DARE TO BELIEVE & ACT UPON GOD'S WORD!"

With God, the word 'IMPOSSIBLE' means 'OPPORTUNITY!'

It's Polite to Whisper...

Follow Very Closely!

The crowds followed Jesus, but only those closest to Him heard the rich teaching He gave along the way. There were others who followed Him from afar. (See John 19:38.) John followed Jesus as closely as he could. As a result, John heard rich truths, which he shares in his writings.

Closeness is determined by how well we can hear Jesus speak to us, and this ability is determined by how much we meditate on His Word day and night.

John was one of the three who were in Jesus' "inner circle." He was with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration and on the mount of Calvary. He sat right next to Jesus at the Last Supper and wanted to sit next to Him in His kingdom. Because of this very close relationship, John shared truths from Jesus that are found in no other gospel or epistle.

For example, John recorded the secret of intimate fellowship and effective discipleship through meditation on the commands of Christ. “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21). John further emphasized the importance of meditation when he wrote, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7).

Secrets bind the spirits of people together. Jesus wants to share His secrets with us, but we must follow closely to hear them.

Does your walk with Jesus allow Him to whisper secrets to you,

or does He have to shout to get your attention?

 

The more you meditate on Christ's words, the closer your walk with Him will be!

Through Christ our Lord,

 

Bill Gothard

Lamentations 3:22-23

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your Faithfulness."

Today, a challenge is issued to everyone reading this:

"IF GOD'S FAITHFULNESS IS WHAT WE PROCLAIM, THEN LET'S RELEASE OUR FEAR & COMPLAINING!"

Proclaiming confidence in God's Faithfulness is not done in word, but in deed!

PROCLAMATION 

IS A JOURNEY, NOT A CONVERSATION!

Therefore, TODAY, lets stop TELLING others about how much confidence we have in God's Faithfulness & then DENY that confidence by our complaining!

TODAY'S CHALLENGE IS TO:

"DISPLAY A LIFE OF CONFIDENCE IN CHRIST, FOR THIS IS WHAT WILL CAPTURE THE UNBELIEVERS ATTENTION!"

You have the power to change someone's life forever!